Topic Area: Child Safety
Description: The goal of this training is to help local dependency court systems enhance child safety practice by using a common framework for talking about child safety. When all court and system partners utilize a shared understanding and language to clearly and consistently articulate safety-related information, including the harms of removal, the court can engage parties in meaningful inquiries around assessments of safety, safety planning and case planning in ways that support improved outcomes for children and families. Safety Summits are a cross-system training event that is included in the larger Safety Summit Project.
Learning Objectives:
- Learners understand the fundamentals of child welfare safety and the importance of using frameworks in decision-making.
- Learners understand the key components, terminology, and principles used in American Bar Association Child Safety: A Guide for Judges and Attorneys (“Safety Framework”).
- Learners can apply the “Safety Framework” in decision-making at every step in a case.
- Learners can effectively articulate safety-related information to the court.
Format: Virtual via Zoom
Length: 4 hours plus significant time investment in pre-event planning and post-event strategic plan implementation by local system partners.
Audience: Safety Summits are available for individual WA counties as a multi-disciplinary training. Suggested attendees include judicial officers, court staff, attorneys, child advocates, parent allies, caregivers, community providers, and others who work with families impacted by child welfare. Safety Summits not available for individual agencies/organizations.
Presenters:
- Tarassa Froberg, Dependency Training Specialist, Family & Youth Justice Programs
- Ryann Charvat, Statewide Safety Program Manager, Department of Childre, Youth, & Families
- Jacob D’Annunzio, Training Coordinator, Office of Public Defense’s Parent Representation Program
- Ryan Murrey, Executive Director, Washington Association of Child Advocate Programs
Testimonials:
Safety Summit training is part of the larger commitment by local court systems to participate in the Safety Summit Project. Court systems interested in participating in the Safety Summit Project must fulfill specified pre-requisites and commit to certain expectations. Information on the Safety Summit Project, pre-requisite requirements, and request process can be found in the Safety Summit Introduction Package (link below).
The Planning Worksheet, located within the Safety Summit Introduction Package, serves as the request for participating in the Safety Summit Project. Planning Worksheets should be completed and submitted by the Project Liaison.